Smokers, no doubt, face the risk of health problems by inhaling the smoke of a cigarette or a cigar. The inhaled smoke affects their body systems. What about non-smokers? They are exposed to health risks even if they do not smoke, as they inhale the smoke let out by smokers. Second hand smoke has indeed affected many persons, who prefer not to smoke. What is this second- hand smoke, you may ask? How does it affect us? Let us try to understand it.
Second- hand Smoke- Something to Worry About
Second- hand smoke is also known as environmental tobacco smoke ( ETS). It is a mixture of the smoke released by the burning of a cigar or a cigarette as well as the smoke exhaled by the lungs of the smoker after inhaling. It lingers on in the rooms and is inhaled by non-smokers causing serious health problems.
Second-hand smoke is cancer causing and can lead to several diseases and premature deaths among children. Even infants are affected by it. Recent research has focused upon infants suffering from heart and lung diseases due to second-hand smoke.
Parents often fail to realize that their children are exposed to the smoke at homes. Infants cannot move out of the house and end up inhaling the smoke let out by their parents. They suffer from respiratory tract infections.
Second-hand smoke contains several chemicals, which are carcinogenic and toxic, which include benzene, arsenic ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde
Non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke at workplace, in restaurants, at residences and other public places such as bars etc. In some places, smoking has been prohibited in workplaces, and that has lead to an increase in productivity. Public smoking has been banned in several countries, as it has been felt that non-smokers also have a right not to get exposed to second hand smoke. Several states in the U.S. have passed legislation preventing public smoking.
Non-smokers, obviously, have the right not to get exposed to cigarette or cigar smoke of smokers, as their health is also very important. Why should they inhale the smoke exhaled by smokers? They need not be on the receiving end. They have every right to raise their voice for a smoke-free environment.
